Teaching Grace

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Heb 5:8

What a fascinating statement. Do you mean to tell me that the Son of God, Jesus the Messiah, learned how to be obedient to God?

Sometimes we have a wrong concept of what it means to be holy and godly. Perhaps we think that someone who truly had faith in God would easily float through life on a cloud of peace and tranquility? Do you view struggling with God's unfolding plan in your life as a lack of faith? Do you view your feelings of anxiety, grief and stress as fruits of a weak relationship with God? Do they even make you doubt that you are actually his child?

Know this. Jesus struggled too.

In the Gospels, we find the perfect, sinless human in the garden of Gethsemane struggling with the Father's will for his life. See him in the garden "greatly distressed and troubled" and "very sorrowful, even to death". As he falls before his Father in prayer his worn stressed body breaks into a cold sweat. The sweat accumulates and drops to the earth like great drops of blood. He prays through the raging sea of emotions, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Meanwhile the disciple sleep. Who is being more spiritual?

But Jesus continues to pray, giving his heart, soul and mind to God, until God sends him the strength for his seemingly impossible mission.

Isn't it comforting to know that Christ our mediator before God understands us in this way? Follow Christ's path and give your struggles and inner turmoil to God, until he strengthens you.